Senator fined for violations resigns from leadership post

Senator fined for violations resigns from leadership post

Oct. 28, 2017

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The assistant majority leader of the Maine Senate, who was fined $9,000 in August for violating the state's campaign finance laws, is resigning from his leadership post.

Republican Sen. Andre Cushing of Newport said in a letter to colleagues on Friday that he is stepping down effective Wednesday, citing family duties.

The Maine Ethics Commission in August imposed a $1,500 fine on Cushing for late reporting of campaign contributions and a $7,500 fine for violations by his leadership PAC, Respect Maine.

Cushing was accused of failing to report short-term loans from his PAC to a family business. But the commission staff found that his actions did not give Cushing or others an unfair political advantage.

Senate Republican plan to hold a caucus to name a new assistant majority leader soon.